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AthFest Music Festival Cancelled For The First Time In Over 20 Years

AthFest

For the first time in more than 20 years, the AthFest Music Festival is cancelled. Executive Director Jill Helme says the decision was difficult, but necessary.

"Without fail we've had AthFest for 23 years. We certainly didn't want this to be a summer that went without a festival." 

Helme says they considered the health and safety of those expected to attend as well the financial impact.

"So many of our sponsors and our vendors are in terrible economic shape unfortunately at the moment so it's not right for us to reach out to them and ask them to continue to sponsor the event when they are struggling the way that they are. We also have to make sure that we are good stewards of the organization and the funds that we have and that we can continue to provide both the grants that we provide that support music and arts education in our community as well as have AthFest for many years to come." 

There may be some sort of gathering later in the year.

"Maybe we can put down a much, much smaller event or two later in the summer that would still allow people to come together and still give our local downtown businesses an economic boost."

 The AthFest Music & Arts Festival showcases Athens, GA’s musicians and artists, while raising money for the nonprofit AthFest Educates, which gives grants to support local music and art education for youth.

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